I can't help but feel compelled to speak out on how disappointed I was by the reception of my school and their football team, based on missteps of a few, by some locals and members of the media.

And I say "my school" because some have fallaciously lumped the two together, as if the incidents were not isolated and were a gross indication of me and everything USC. Nothing could be further. I know my school.

That's not to say that what the two players said was right, nor should it be condoned. Yes, they spoke out of turn, and while the criticism may not be what we "like to hear," who are we trying to fool if we say this is not a recurring theme in and outside of El Paso?

Yet many took to the social networks and comment sections of articles quickly leaching on to the city's "biggest story" (even the LA Times agrees) to unleash a diatribe against the entire football team, the University and its students and alumni.

It's common sense that what was said is not representative of the team nor USC in general.

I saw the foolish remarks as a learning opportunity for both sides, for the players to come to El Paso and see what it has to offer (look they enjoyed themselves!). But it also goes further, to enlighten us on a pressing issue we face here in El Paso: The work this city still needs to accomplish so such criticism is almost nonexistent in the future.

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It shouldn't be about simply, easily pointing the finger and bemoaning the criticism, but about using it to fuel us as a community to work even harder on improving our city, our home, because we need it now more than ever. There's a potential that hungers to be uncovered in El Paso.

And it should start by us questioning why such criticism is nothing new to our town. It's about looking closer. I do this all the time: Why don't we have this or that? Why does Albuquerque fare better than we do, and they, too, are a desert community?

Also, if you don't like the criticism, which is never easy to hear, do something for your community.

I did. I spent my summer in the heat of El Paso canvassing my neighborhood on the idea of building a linear park on the city's East Side in a community deprived of any recreational space. At the time, I asked myself why were our parks so few and far between. Now that the bond has passed, that idea is on track to becoming a reality.

Let's ignore the sensationalism and move to the substance, the heart of the issues. If we do, we'll realize there's something more to learn than vitriol.

We need to open ourselves up to criticism because it gives us another perspective by which to measure and engage in meaningful dialogue. It shows us what we don't always see or want to see.

We need to question why we, as a community, get such criticism in the first place. When we ask ourselves why others have it, but we don't, and take action, that's how real change happens.

While El Paso will always be my hometown, I recognize, having the opportunity to have experienced other great cities, that El Paso can compete at the same level, and only in this country is that definitely possible.

Let's rise to the occasion, El Paso! Fight On!

Adam M. Peña is a graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and also holds a degree in political science.